Major award-winning nursery with a passion for natural-world values in Early Years education

Founded in 2004 by husband and wife team Steve and Alison Dyke, Nature Trails is an award-winning nursery, focused on the happiness, well-being and progress of the children in its care. Nature Trails is now looking for high calibre individuals and couples to replicate its proven business model and principles, and make it the leading day nursery franchise in the UK.

Nature Trails + Franchising = Your Opportunity

Initially based in a converted farmhouse in Rugby, Nature Trails Day Nursery has become a leading local nursery that has gained national recognition, winning the Nursery of the Year Award 2013 for Central England. Nature Trails was one of the first nurseries to introduce the Forest Schools concept, with a specific focus on getting children out of the classroom and into the natural environment. Over the last decade, Nature Trails has taken this philosophy and developed its own unique approach.

Due to demand for our services, consistently high occupancy rates and a very healthy balance sheet, we now have plans to expand nationally through franchising. We welcome applications from potential franchisees to become a part of our network’s nascent growth.

A Structure of Support, an Ethos of Care

As the first franchise in the UK to include a Good Faith clause in its franchise agreement, Nature Trails demonstrates to franchisees its belief in mutual honesty, fairness, and trust. This ethos carries over into the daily care franchisees will provide and ultimately underpins the entire business structure.

Nature Trails franchisees will welcome children aged six months to five years, between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. They will liaise with parents, staff, the children and Nature Trails head office. Crucially, new franchisees will already have or will acquire with our assistance, premises with around half an acre of outdoor space for the purposes of outdoor activities. Close proximity to larger accessible rural spaces is not essential but would be an advantage.

Foundation Franchisee Package

The Foundation Franchise Package, for the first four franchisees only, is packed with benefits:

• A reduced initial license fee: £21,995 (which includes c. £16k equipment and start-up package) down from £29,995
• An initial five-year franchise agreement – containing the UK’s first ‘Good Faith’ clause in a franchise agreement – with the right to a further two five-year extensions
• Exclusive geographic area with the inbuilt option to develop additional nurseries within the territory
• Demographic analysis prior to launch to ensure the best business outcome for your nursery
• A comprehensive Nursery Management System specifically tailored to help you run your own nursery business
• A territory-specific web page

Qualities in You

It’s vital that potential franchisees share the passion and drive that has made Nature Trails the success it is today. Therefore, ideal candidates must have the following attributes:

• Love working with children
• Deliver high-quality care
• An affinity for nature and outdoor activities
• Community spirit
• Business skills to effectively run a tight business ship